07/25/1991

Fruit, Vegetable Growers Attend AU Field Day

CULLMAN, Ala.—Rattlesnake, a local pole bean variety favorite, and Bertina, a new variety from California, were the top producers in an Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station variety test, according to Auburn researcher Gene Hunter. Speaking at a Fruit and Vegetable Field Day at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation, Hunter pointed out that Rattlesnake was the earliest maturing variety, at 49 days, and Bertina was one of the longest maturing at 58 days.

In addition to Bertina and Rattlesnake, which produced about 20,000 pounds per acre each, Gold Marie, a yellow pole bean, produced over 18,000 pounds per acre, as did Belmont. Hunter told the crowd of about 100 commercial growers and home gardeners that interest in pole beans among producers in the area was instrumental in establishing the pole bean variety test at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation here.

Sweet potatoes have long been a staple crop in the Cullman/Sand Mountain area, but the old production practice of growing slips in old sawdust may be reducing yields, according to Auburn researcher Jim Dangler.

In comparison with new sawdust and a commercial bark media, old, reused sawdust produced fewer sweet potato slips. In addition, slips in the old sawdust media were smaller and less vigorous. Dangler noted that several sweet potato varieties were tested and all showed similar increased production when new sawdust or bark media were used, compared to old sawdust.

Auburn researcher Billy Dozier told the group about two relatively new crops that have some potential for north Alabama. Kiwi, which has been grown in Experiment Station tests in south and central Alabama for five years, appears better suited to climates with more hours of chilling temperatures between 32 and 45 degrees F.

Dozier pointed out that trunk wraps or misting systems would have to be used to prevent freezes from killing kiwi plants. In tests at Clanton in central Alabama, both freeze protection methods proved successful about 80 percent of the time in protecting kiwi from severe freezes, he said.

The kiwi planting at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation was established in June, so it will be about three years before researchers can determine how well they will flower and fruit in north Alabama. Another crop, however, Asian pears, is already in its third year and the first crop will be harvested in late summer or early fall.

Dozier warned that the most popular Asian pear varieties grown in California appear to be the most susceptible to fire blight in Alabama. These varieties, all native to Japan, include 20th Century, Meteitsu, Ya-Li and Doitsu. Other varieties not affected by fire blight are Erishinte, Kikusui, Chojuro, Shinko, Hosui and Sevui.

Dozier also told the growers about two new apple varieties, Fuji, a Japanese variety, and Braben, from New Zealand, which thrive in hot temperatures. Unlike the currently grown apples, which are ideally suited to cooler climates of Washington, Michigan and New York, these new apples require much less chilling time and the soluble solids actually increase in warmer temperatures, according to Dozier.

Though peaches are commonly grown in north Alabama, frost damage to blooms in the spring and winter kill of trees are major limitations to production in the area. Auburn researcher Arnold Caylor noted that in variety tests at Cullman, peaches that require 850-1,000 hours of chilling have survived cold weather much better than some more popular varieties that require only 600-800 hours of chilling. Sure Crop, Winblo and Norman are varieties that appear to be well suited to production in north Alabama, according to Caylor.

One of the highlights of the meeting, which included tours of research plots and discussion by Auburn researchers, was a look at two new watermelon varieties: AU Scarlet and AU Producer-Yellow. Scarlet is a thin-rinded melon, with bright red flesh. AU Producer-Yellow is a yellow meated sister variety to AU Producer. These varieties, along with AU Jubilant, were released by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station breeding program, according to Auburn researcher George Boyhan.

Joe Norton, a professor of horticulture at Auburn and head of the fruit breeding program, showed the visitors some samples of his 30-year breeding program. The latest plum varieties developed by Norton's research team include AU Amber, AU Rosa, AU Homeside, AU Roadside, AU Cherry, AU Producer and AU Rubrum. Norton noted that all these plums are suitable for home use and roadside markets, but Rubrum is the best suited for commercial production.

Marlin Hollingsworth, superintendent of the 160-acre North Alabama Horticulture Substation, noted that the large turnout is indicative of the interest in fruit and vegetable crops in the Cullman area. "We appreciate the people coming out to see results of the research we do here at the Substation, and we appreciate the interest of Extension agents in bringing people to the meeting, and to the researchers at Auburn, who are always willing to take their time to come to the Substation to meet with groups like this one," Hollingsworth concluded.

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By:
Roy Roberson